I’m married to David and we have two daughters, Debbie born in June ’88 and Abigail, born in August ’90. Also in the family are a black and white cat called Socks, a chocolate Labrador Retriever, Rosie, and a Border Terrier called Jake.
I now live in Usk, South Wales, but arrived at this abode via Hertfordshire, where I grew up, Suffolk, Staffordshire and Cheshire. Moving house can’t be listed as one of my favourite things, but I’m very practised!
I’m a real ale loving, pint drinking extrovert with an outlandish sense of humour; slightly off the wall but harmless really, with a highly developed sense of the ridiculous!
Whilst my children were of pre-school age I studied with the Open University, finally achieving a BSc Hons (First class) in Biology. An abortive attempt at a PhD followed, foiled by David accepting a job in Cardiff and the resulting relocation. After a couple of years off paid employment to settle the girls and see our eldest through a health problem and the transition to Secondary School, I have recently returned to work part time in the local Post Office. I am now known to my friends as ‘Mrs Goggins’!
I have no professional involvement with archaeology, but my Dad fostered my love of archaeology as a child, and this interest has never left me. I’ve watched Time Team since the start of the first series, when I saw the original trailers for the series I knew it would be compulsive viewing, and I’ve not missed one since. I especially admire Carenza as I’d love to know how she manages to combine high-profile career with having a family – it’s something I’d love to achieve but haven’t been able to master! Through my involvement with the forum I was lucky enough to win one of the two places to attend the Bawsey ‘live’ dig in 1998, along with Paula. We spent a fantastic weekend with the crew, it’s an experience I shall never forget. Later that season I was invited to spend a day at the ‘Turkdean revisited’ dig, and in 2000, the girls and I spent a few hours at a TT dig here in South Wales.
I first started visiting the forum the week after the live, and although I’m not around as much as I used to be, I still pop in when I can. I’m proud to consider myself an original Forum Friend!
Special Interest Areas
Since Dad taking me to Fishbourne Roman Palace the year it opened, I’ve always been facinated by the Romans and the period of Roman occupation in the UK.